The Modular Thread

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Can folks with modular know how explain to me what’s going on here… https://youtu.be/V5Z0R9DS4u0

I understand the Erebus and intellijel Atlantis being sequenced by 2 sq1s. Are the sequencers connected? Also what kind of case is that (always seen modular as maaaaaaassssssssiiiiiiivvvvveeeeee) and it’s that a mixer or something under the intellijel?
Sorry, this is one of the first modular videos that I’ve really really got into.

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Case is this or similar: http://store.synthrotek.com/Power_Lunch

1U modules appear to be Multiples and Mixer from here: http://store.synthrotek.com/1U-Modules_c_66.html

Synthrotek is really great. The owner is a really nice guy. And the prices are really reasonable for getting into it, especially if you can solder.

Sequencers are probably linked for speed. Then seems to be modulated by LFOs to get those sweeping sounds.
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Case is this or similar: http://store.synthrotek.com/Power_Lunch
1U modules appear to be Multiples and Mixer from here: http://store.synthrotek.com/1U-Modules_c_66.html

Synthrotek is really great. The owner is a really nice guy. And the prices are really reasonable for getting into it, especially if you can solder.

Sequencers are probably linked for speed. Then seems to be modulated by LFOs to get those sweeping sounds.
Thanks. This is the first video that has really made me take an interest in modular. So it's cool to see it's not all (ALERT: SWEEPING GENERALISATION AHEAD) bleeps and noise.
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Thanks. This is the first video that has really made me take an interest in modular. So it's cool to see it's not all (ALERT: SWEEPING GENERALISATION AHEAD) bleeps and noise.
To be honest, the way this guy is using his modular in this demo could be done by most any analogue mono synth rather than specifically a modular. If 95% of what you want to do is make music like this video then i woudl strongly reccomend getting a semi modular like the MS20 or the Erebus.

The thing to realise is that lots of us modular guys get into modular with the best musical intentions, and often initially build a variation of a modular mono synth with very flexible routing / modulation options.

The thing with modulars though is that the flexibility breeds a curiosity about what else can be done, and from there you discover yourself increasingly enjoying the sound design and learning process of building a modular workflow more than actually using it in a focussed way to obtain the most musical results.

This pleasure in the process can of course sometimes lead to great musical results, and in the right hands modulars cane be used to make amazing compositions that genuinely couldn't exist in any other format, but arent justified by the format (aka, arent only cool because they are 'done on a modular').

As you say though, more often than not its a pile of bleeps and noise, but the important thing is that it is your very own bleeps and noise. You made them and thats awesome :D







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Sorry, I didn’t mean to dismiss exploration or belittle what people enjoy.

I guess my comment stems from a lack of understanding of what’s involved in performing/creating sound with a modular system.

Keep on experimenting!

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Not at all man, wasn’t meant to be a holier than though preach, sorry if it came over like that!


More trying to explain why i think most modular demos are pretty a-musical in a traditional sense. Different target demographic :wink:

x


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Can folks with modular know how explain to me what's going on here.... https://youtu.be/V5Z0R9DS4u0

I understand the Erebus and intellijel Atlantis being sequenced by 2 sq1s. Are the sequencers connected? Also what kind of case is that (always seen modular as maaaaaaassssssssiiiiiiivvvvveeeeee) and it’s that a mixer or something under the intellijel?
Sorry, this is one of the first modular videos that I’ve really really got into.

based on this video, I bought the Atlantis and two SQ-1’s

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So I’m in the market for a new VCO. I’d like to have a wavetable one at that and currently I’ve got my eyes on either a Cylonix Shapeshifter or a Braids. The thing I like about the Shapeshifter is the number of VC inputs and mylarmelodies’ demo of course. On the other hand the Braids has a the meta mode and the alternative firmwares, especially the Bees In The Trees.

Does anyone own either or even both of them and would like to share some impressions and criticism?

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I have both. What’s your system like, otherwise?

Also, the Erica wavetable osc seems nice!

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Had Braids, hated it. Well that’s a bit harsh as it sounded great but I have realised that I don’t like menu diving on a modular synth.

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If I ever had the cash I’d get the E350 wavetable oscillator, can’t remember the maker but it sounds awesome. For now, enjoying using my mininova for digital sounds, sticking with analog in my rack.

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@josker I have a, yet, pretty small system with a SV-1, 4ms SMR, and two Distings for my generating sound. The rest is utilities and one Wasp filter. I loved the harsh, morphing sounds I got out of the Disting waveshaping VCO modes which is why I’m looking into Wavetable VCOs.

Being lazy I just went to Modulargrid and sorted the VCOs by popularity but I’m listening to the Erica Synth module as I type this. It sounds nice as well. Thanks for adding an option instead of removing one :stuck_out_tongue:

@ghostly606 good point. I’m not sure I’m into that either.

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@gostly606 the E350 was high up in the Modular Grid ranking as well. I could not find a dealer that has it in stock or even deliverable in a few weeks. Going by the few videos I found it doesn’t sound as nice as the Erica Synths VCO (to me anyway) though it seems to be in the same price range (if it would be available).

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What about an 0-Coast?

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I have bought a basic Doepfer oscillator (expecting delivery tomorrow) as a replacement for my Braids and will probably get a wavefolder soon and just play about with that.

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@ghostly606 if they made a eurorack version I might be tempted, though it’s not what I’m looking for at the moment

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@josker btw, the absence of any sequencers and percussive modules is due to me owning a BeatStep Pro, Keystep, and the trusty PO-12. A Zoom MS 70 takes care of my reverb needs. That’s my whole set up at the moment.

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@crudeoperator –


Harsh morphing sounds, that could be the Shapeshifter or the Piston Honda MKII. Did I just add another option? Sorry :smiley:

Braids’ wavetables are pretty smooth by default, but there are internal settings that allow you to degrade the sound until it’s pretty nasty.

Braids divides people. It’s certainly an awesome starting point for many types of patches, but some think that it’s a master of none type of situation.

The Shapeshifter is pretty, ah, digital, but it has a lot of features. Chords, vocoder, delay, PRESETS… It’s pretty menudivey, but nothing that can’t be navigated quickly – I guess it’s more of a question of whether you hate the idea of a screen and menus on your modular. Can get very glitchy and rough, there’s a lot of sweet spots but you need to do a bit of digging.

I just actually ordered a used Piston Honda MKII. (I have a surplus of oscillators, now, will have to sell one). Almost all the demos are just harsh noise, but people who own it and people whose opinion I trust say that it can do easy and smooth, as well. Why am I interested in it? Well, it does away with any menu diving, and I’m hoping it’s ‘in the middle’ – more character than Braids, smoother morphs than with the Shapeshifter…

Oh yeah, the Synthesis Technology e350 – everybody says it’s smooth as butter, and it really sounds like that’s the case. Some say it can be difficult to get away from that character, others say it’s not an issue.

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@crudeoperator


have you checked out mannequinns mangrove? paired up with mannequinns three sisters, its pretty fun!

I had a braids as my first vco. its ok. does a lot for one modular. I traded it out mostly because of the menu diving. I did trade up to a mangrove, which i enjoy quite a bit.

i currently have Mangrove, Mother 32, Rings as my main sound sources. op1 too :wink:


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@josker thanks for the write up. Your comments and ghostly606’ kinda sound like the Braids might not be what I’m looking for. I definitely need to look into the Piston Honda now. Really dig the sliders. I’m not put off by the display on the Shapeshifter, it seems more like an accessory than a necessity from what I saw on YouTube.

So it’s Piston Honda vs Shapeshifter now…

@sable haven’t had the Mangrove on the radar. It sound nice, though a bit tame in some way. Anyhow, sourcing would be an issue as none of my dealers seems to carry it or even have an estimated delivery time… seems I’m late to the game on this one.